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Rumsfeld Confident NATO Will Be Successful in Afghanistan

08 June 2006

But NATO's de Hoop Scheffer says more rebuilding, development resources needed

By David Anthony Denny
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington –- The pending increase of forces in Afghanistan was among the topics discussed by NATO defense ministers at a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, June 8.

NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer welcomed Afghan Defense Minister Rahim Wardak to the NATO meeting, saying that Afghanistan represents a long-term commitment for the alliance, whose objective is to assist the Afghan government in providing security for reconstruction and development to take place.

NATO heads the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, which currently has about 9,700 troops deployed there.  (See related article.)

The alliance’s plan is to augment that number up to a total of about 15,000 as it expands the territory under control of the Afghan government.

At a press conference later in the day, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said he was confident that NATO would have a successful mission in Afghanistan.  Rumsfeld said 42 countries are taking part in the coalition in Afghanistan –- the 26 members of NATO, plus 16 other countries.  All, he said, are assisting in one way or another, either with troops or civilians, and some participating in Provincial Reconstruction Teams.  (See related article.)

Asked about the future level of U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said the number “will vary depending on the situation and the season.”  He said current U.S. strength is around 20,000 military personnel, while the Afghans are building up to “many tens of thousands” of soldiers.  As Afghans gain experience and are better equipped, he said, they will take more responsibility.

“But I'd leave it to the commanders in the field to figure out what they think they need,” said Rumsfeld.

De Hoop Scheffer said significant progress has occurred so far:  Afghanistan now has a president, a parliament, and provincial councils -- all elected by Afghans themselves.  These elements constitute “the roots of a democratic and free nation,” he said.

Beyond NATO, however, the secretary-general said the Karzai government and the international community must step forward to address all the challenges facing Afghanistan, including narco-trafficking.  He mentioned specifically the United Nations, the European Union and the Group of Eight nations, saying that those organizations and nongovernmental organizations “must continue and enhance their efforts.”

“I will be blunt,” de Hoop Scheffer said, “more resources are urgently needed for reconstruction and development.”

Even though challenges and dangers lie ahead, de Hoop Scheffer said NATO and friends of Afghanistan “must meet them” head on, together.

“We must ensure the progress achieved is not compromised by the opponents to democracy,” he said.

The transcript of Rumsfeld’s remarks is available on the Defense Department Web site.

The current plan to assist Afghanistan is available on NATO’s Web site, as is the full text of de Hoop Scheffer’s remarks.

For more information about U.S. policy, see International Security and Rebuilding Afghanistan.

(The Washington File is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)